Story:
Queens, NY (1/6/10) - A spirited rally was held Thursday night outside Jamaica High School in Queens.More than 500 parents, students, teachers and alumni rallied against plans to replace the school with several small high schools in the same building.
"We're here to tell them that our school is a viable place, and it's a good school, and it's been around for 118 years. It deserves to be around as Jamaica High School for 118 more," said Jamaica High School teacher James Eterno.
Inside, more than 100 signed up for speaking slots to tell officials why the doors to Jamaica High should stay open.
"We're here tonight to show our support because Jamaica is a great school. We have great academics, great programs," said Jamaica High School student Rachael Ali. "What's not to like here? We have a great atmosphere, we have a great, beautiful campus. Why do they want to close our school down?"
The Department of Education say the want to close the school because of the 46 percent graduation rate and falling enrollment, but teachers say statistics are improving.
"So what we're hearing here tonight at Jamaica High School is what we want to hear. We want to hear what people have to say," said Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott. "But at the same time it is important to point out the reality that the schools we have identified to phase out are schools that unfortunately are not doing their job."
The city has already shuttered 32 large high schools like Jamaica and opened more than 180 smaller schools.
A vote to decide whether to close Jamaica High is set for the end of the month.
Questions:
1) Where did the story take place?
2) When did the story take place?
3) What school is the DOE trying to close down?
4) How many people were protesting closing down the school?
5) Why is the school being closed?
6) When will the vote to decide whether to close Jamaica High take place?
7) What do you think? Should they close the school or not? Why or why not?
Info and video from NY1
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